Originally posted by ian Aikido can evolve through training, but too much talk can make it 'mystical'.

So I suppose the oral tradition is - learn through training.

Ian

I have to agree with Ian.

The basics seem to be drilled into us a lot: kihon dosa, kihon waza. But above all, a good kamae is stressed the most - always, even to the most senior people (especially by uchi deshi of Kancho Shioda). Don't think I've heard the word Ki mentioned even once, although its been alluded to occasionally.